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  14. <description>By Teaching, We Learn</description>
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  23. <title>The Role of Instructional Designers in the Age of AI – Part 2</title>
  24. <link>https://purnima-valiathan.com/the-role-of-instructional-designers-in-the-age-of-ai-part-2/</link>
  25. <comments>https://purnima-valiathan.com/the-role-of-instructional-designers-in-the-age-of-ai-part-2/#respond</comments>
  26. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Purnima Valiathan]]></dc:creator>
  27. <pubDate>Thu, 18 Sep 2025 06:16:34 +0000</pubDate>
  28. <category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
  29. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://purnima-valiathan.com/?p=63902</guid>
  30.  
  31. <description><![CDATA[<p>In Part 1 of this series we looked at how the instructional design landscape has evolved over the years, till &#8230;</p>
  32. <p>The post <a href="https://purnima-valiathan.com/the-role-of-instructional-designers-in-the-age-of-ai-part-2/">The Role of Instructional Designers in the Age of AI – Part 2</a> appeared first on <a href="https://purnima-valiathan.com">ID Mentors</a>.</p>
  33. ]]></description>
  34. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>In Part 1 of this series we looked at how the instructional design landscape has evolved over the years, till the advent of AI in current times. We also looked at how the role of the instructional designer has changed, and the new competencies that are required now to use AI effectively. In Part 2 of this series we present the AI tools that can be used by instructional designers, and the new ways of learning that have emerged as a result of AI supported with examples and use cases.</p>
  35. <h3><strong>Strategic Recommendations</strong></h3>
  36. <p>What is the delta for IDs and learning leaders? Here are a few:</p>
  37. <ul>
  38. <li><strong>Upskill now</strong>: Gain working knowledge of generative AI, learning analytics, and ethical frameworks.</li>
  39. <li><strong>Experiment</strong>: Pilot AI tools in small, controlled learning design projects.</li>
  40. <li><strong>Stay human-centric</strong>: Use AI to enhance, not replace, empathy and pedagogical depth.</li>
  41. <li><strong>Build communities</strong>: Join networks of future-ready instructional designers to share best practices.</li>
  42. </ul>
  43. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  44. <h3><strong>Toolbox of Emerging AI Tools for Instructional Designers</strong></h3>
  45. <p><strong>Note</strong>: This keeps changing everyday.</p>
  46. <p><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="alignleft wp-image-63903" src="https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AI_Article_Table-1.png" alt="" width="786" height="373" srcset="https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AI_Article_Table-1.png 1025w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AI_Article_Table-1-460x219.png 460w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AI_Article_Table-1-150x71.png 150w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AI_Article_Table-1-768x365.png 768w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AI_Article_Table-1-300x143.png 300w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AI_Article_Table-1-120x57.png 120w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AI_Article_Table-1-310x147.png 310w" sizes="(max-width: 786px) 100vw, 786px" /></p>
  47. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  48. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  49. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  50. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  51. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  52. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  53. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  54. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  55. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  56. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  57. <hr class="divider clear" />
  58. <h3><strong>Use Cases for Collaboration Between AI And ID</strong></h3>
  59. <p>Here are use cases for collaboration between AI and ID, grouped by design stage and learning need, to understand where the constructive collaboration truly happens:</p>
  60. <p><img decoding="async" class="alignleft wp-image-63905" src="https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AI_Article_-Table-2.png" alt="" width="786" height="332" srcset="https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AI_Article_-Table-2.png 1044w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AI_Article_-Table-2-460x194.png 460w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AI_Article_-Table-2-1024x433.png 1024w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AI_Article_-Table-2-150x63.png 150w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AI_Article_-Table-2-768x324.png 768w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AI_Article_-Table-2-300x127.png 300w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AI_Article_-Table-2-120x51.png 120w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AI_Article_-Table-2-310x131.png 310w" sizes="(max-width: 786px) 100vw, 786px" /></p>
  61. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  62. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  63. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  64. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  65. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  66. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  67. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  68. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  69. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  70. <hr class="divider clear" />
  71. <p><img decoding="async" class="alignnone wp-image-63906" src="https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AI_Article_Table-3.png" alt="" width="786" height="340" srcset="https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AI_Article_Table-3.png 1053w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AI_Article_Table-3-460x199.png 460w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AI_Article_Table-3-1024x442.png 1024w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AI_Article_Table-3-150x65.png 150w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AI_Article_Table-3-768x332.png 768w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AI_Article_Table-3-300x130.png 300w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AI_Article_Table-3-120x52.png 120w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AI_Article_Table-3-310x134.png 310w" sizes="(max-width: 786px) 100vw, 786px" /></p>
  72. <hr class="divider clear" />
  73. <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignleft wp-image-63907" src="https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AI_Article_Table-4.png" alt="" width="786" height="336" srcset="https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AI_Article_Table-4.png 1071w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AI_Article_Table-4-460x197.png 460w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AI_Article_Table-4-1024x438.png 1024w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AI_Article_Table-4-150x64.png 150w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AI_Article_Table-4-768x328.png 768w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AI_Article_Table-4-300x128.png 300w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AI_Article_Table-4-120x51.png 120w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AI_Article_Table-4-310x133.png 310w" sizes="(max-width: 786px) 100vw, 786px" /></p>
  74. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  75. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  76. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  77. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  78. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  79. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  80. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  81. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  82. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  83. <hr class="divider clear" />
  84. <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignleft wp-image-63908" src="https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AI_Article_Table-5.png" alt="" width="786" height="326" srcset="https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AI_Article_Table-5.png 1061w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AI_Article_Table-5-460x191.png 460w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AI_Article_Table-5-1024x425.png 1024w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AI_Article_Table-5-150x62.png 150w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AI_Article_Table-5-768x318.png 768w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AI_Article_Table-5-300x124.png 300w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AI_Article_Table-5-120x50.png 120w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AI_Article_Table-5-310x129.png 310w" sizes="(max-width: 786px) 100vw, 786px" /></p>
  85. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  86. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  87. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  88. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  89. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  90. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  91. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  92. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  93. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  94. <hr class="divider clear" />
  95. <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignleft wp-image-63909" src="https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AI_Article_Table-6.png" alt="" width="786" height="261" srcset="https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AI_Article_Table-6.png 1091w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AI_Article_Table-6-460x153.png 460w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AI_Article_Table-6-1024x340.png 1024w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AI_Article_Table-6-150x50.png 150w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AI_Article_Table-6-768x255.png 768w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AI_Article_Table-6-300x100.png 300w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AI_Article_Table-6-120x40.png 120w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/AI_Article_Table-6-310x103.png 310w" sizes="(max-width: 786px) 100vw, 786px" /></p>
  96. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  97. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  98. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  99. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  100. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  101. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  102. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  103. <hr class="divider clear" />
  104. <p><strong>AI empowers Instructional Designers to:</strong></p>
  105. <ul>
  106. <li>Scale personalization</li>
  107. <li>Save time on repetitive tasks</li>
  108. <li>Harness rich learner data</li>
  109. <li>Accelerate decision-making</li>
  110. </ul>
  111. <p><strong>While Instructional Designers bring:</strong></p>
  112. <ul>
  113. <li>Pedagogical grounding</li>
  114. <li>Learner empathy</li>
  115. <li>Contextual relevance</li>
  116. <li>Ethical and inclusive design lenses</li>
  117. </ul>
  118. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  119. <h3><strong>Scenario based use case examples</strong></h3>
  120. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  121. <div class="notification other" style="background-color:#e5d1e5;border-color:#97d8df;">
  122.            <div class="notepad" style="color:#000000;border-color:{{bordercolor}};"> <strong>Onboarding Employees in a Tech Company</strong> </div></div>
  123. <p><strong>Scenario: </strong>A SaaS company hires 50 new software engineers across global offices. They need to be onboarded quickly on internal tools, company values, and security protocols.</p>
  124. <p><strong>Instructional Designer&#8217;s Role: </strong>Designs a blended onboarding journey with scenario-based modules, explainer videos, and compliance simulations.</p>
  125. <p><strong>AI&#8217;s Role: </strong>Tracks learners&#8217; behavior and performance and dynamically adjusts learning paths. If someone excels in security basics, the AI skips or fast-tracks that section.</p>
  126. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  127. <div class="notification other" style="background-color:#e5d1e5;border-color:#97d8df;">
  128.            <div class="notepad" style="color:#000000;border-color:{{bordercolor}};"> <strong>Upskilling Retail Staff via Mobile Learning</strong> </div></div>
  129. <p><strong>Scenario: </strong>A large retail chain wants to upskill its in-store sales team on a new product line before launch.</p>
  130. <p><strong>Instructional Designer&#8217;s Role: </strong>Designs bite-sized microlearning content delivered via a mobile app, with videos, flashcards, and short scenario quizzes.</p>
  131. <p><strong>AI&#8217;s Role: </strong>Tracks performance and recommends additional content (e.g., customer objection handling) to individuals who score low on related scenarios. AI chatbot coaches are available for real-time role-play simulations.</p>
  132. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  133. <div class="notification other" style="background-color:#e5d1e5;border-color:#97d8df;">
  134.            <div class="notepad" style="color:#000000;border-color:{{bordercolor}};"> <strong>Supporting At-Risk Students in Higher Education</strong> </div></div>
  135. <p><strong>Scenario: </strong>A university identifies first-year students struggling with foundational math through low grades and quiz performance.</p>
  136. <p><strong>Instructional Designer&#8217;s Role: </strong>Creates a remediation module using real-world math scenarios (e.g., budgeting, cooking measurements) that encourage application.</p>
  137. <p><strong>AI&#8217;s Role: </strong>Predicts which students are at risk based on LMS interactions and sends nudges like: “Need help with percentages? Try this 3-min video.” The AI tutors provide just-in-time help via chat or voice.</p>
  138. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  139. <div class="notification other" style="background-color:#e5d1e5;border-color:#97d8df;">
  140.            <div class="notepad" style="color:#000000;border-color:{{bordercolor}};"> <strong>Medical Training for Emergency Response</strong> </div></div>
  141. <p><strong>Scenario: </strong>A hospital trains emergency room nurses on a new triage protocol.</p>
  142. <p><strong>Instructional Designer&#8217;s Role: </strong>Designs simulation-based scenarios with patient avatars, branching decisions, and debrief reflections.</p>
  143. <p><strong>AI&#8217;s Role: </strong>Analyzes decisions made by learners, scores based on urgency and accuracy, and adjusts the difficulty of future cases. AI also provides immediate feedback with reasoning.</p>
  144. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  145. <div class="notification other" style="background-color:#e5d1e5;border-color:#97d8df;">
  146.            <div class="notepad" style="color:#000000;border-color:{{bordercolor}};"> <strong>Corporate Leadership Development Program</strong> </div></div>
  147. <p><strong>Scenario: </strong>A multinational company runs a leadership program to groom mid-level managers.</p>
  148. <p><strong>Instructional Designer&#8217;s Role: </strong>Builds blended workshops with virtual coaching, case studies, and leadership reflection journals.</p>
  149. <p><strong>AI&#8217;s Role: </strong>Analyzes language used in journal entries to identify leadership strengths and gaps (e.g., lack of empathy or strategic thinking). AI chatbot simulates coaching conversations to practice soft skills.</p>
  150. <p><strong> </strong></p>
  151. <p>These scenarios show how Instructional Designers provide the &#8220;learning brain&#8221; &#8211; understanding context, goals, and pedagogy, while AI serves as the &#8220;engine&#8221; scaling personalization, insights, and interactivity. Together, they enable, smarter learning, faster adaptation and stronger learner support</p>
  152. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  153. <h3><strong>Conclusion</strong></h3>
  154. <p>The future of instructional design lies not in competing with AI, but in collaborating with it. By integrating emerging technologies while staying grounded in the enduring principles of empathy, clarity, and equity, instructional designers can position themselves as leaders in the evolving learning landscape. To do so effectively, they must have a strong foundation in instructional design theories, frameworks, and methodologies. With this expertise, they can move beyond simply producing storyboards to delivering meaningful, strategic value in the learning experience.</p>
  155. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  156. <hr class="divider clear" />
  157. <p><strong>Contributed By:</strong> <strong>Samyukhta Puligal</strong></p>
  158. <p>The post <a href="https://purnima-valiathan.com/the-role-of-instructional-designers-in-the-age-of-ai-part-2/">The Role of Instructional Designers in the Age of AI – Part 2</a> appeared first on <a href="https://purnima-valiathan.com">ID Mentors</a>.</p>
  159. ]]></content:encoded>
  160. <wfw:commentRss>https://purnima-valiathan.com/the-role-of-instructional-designers-in-the-age-of-ai-part-2/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
  161. <slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
  162. </item>
  163. <item>
  164. <title>The Role of Instructional Designers in the Age of AI – Part 1</title>
  165. <link>https://purnima-valiathan.com/the-role-of-instructional-designers-in-the-age-of-ai-part-1/</link>
  166. <comments>https://purnima-valiathan.com/the-role-of-instructional-designers-in-the-age-of-ai-part-1/#respond</comments>
  167. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Purnima Valiathan]]></dc:creator>
  168. <pubDate>Mon, 25 Aug 2025 05:37:21 +0000</pubDate>
  169. <category><![CDATA[Knowledge Sharing]]></category>
  170. <category><![CDATA[Learning Trends]]></category>
  171. <category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
  172. <category><![CDATA[AI]]></category>
  173. <category><![CDATA[artificial intelligence]]></category>
  174. <category><![CDATA[Instructional Design]]></category>
  175. <category><![CDATA[Instructional Designers]]></category>
  176. <category><![CDATA[role of AI in instructional design]]></category>
  177. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://purnima-valiathan.com/?p=63603</guid>
  178.  
  179. <description><![CDATA[<p>Executive Summary As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes deeply embedded in education and workplace learning ecosystems, the role of the instructional &#8230;</p>
  180. <p>The post <a href="https://purnima-valiathan.com/the-role-of-instructional-designers-in-the-age-of-ai-part-1/">The Role of Instructional Designers in the Age of AI – Part 1</a> appeared first on <a href="https://purnima-valiathan.com">ID Mentors</a>.</p>
  181. ]]></description>
  182. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<h3><strong>Executive Summary</strong></h3>
  183. <p>As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes deeply embedded in education and workplace learning ecosystems, the role of the instructional designer (ID) is undergoing a fundamental transformation. This whitepaper explores how AI is reshaping the ID profession—from automating routine tasks to enabling deeply personalized and adaptive learning—and anticipates how IDs can remain strategic architects of learning in the future.</p>
  184. <hr class="divider clear" />
  185. <h3><strong>The Evolving Landscape of Instructional Design</strong></h3>
  186. <div class="notification other" style="background-color:#e5d1e5;border-color:#97d8df;">
  187.            <div class="notepad" style="color:#000000;border-color:{{bordercolor}};"></p>
  188. <p>“Technological revolutions are not new. We as a species have shaped and been shaped by technology, from the first intentional use of stone hand axes to artificial intelligence. There has been a relentless rhythm to this progress.” &#8211; Donald Cark</p>
  189. <p></div></div>
  190. <p>Clark also says, the AI technology, especially in learning, cannot be considered in terms of “fourth industrial revolution” but rather as a “cognitive revolution.” He calls AI “a product of pure psychological endeavour.” – So, this is exactly why, we as instructional designers, must consider AI in the complete trajectory of the evolution of instructional design. Because this shift is not just technological -it is epistemological. It changes how we think about knowledge, cognition, and learning itself.</p>
  191. <p>From behaviourist roots to cognitive and constructivist theories, instructional design has always been shaped by how we understand the mind. Now, with AI embodying psychological models &#8211; from pattern recognition to adaptive learning—our role expands. We are no longer just creators of learning experiences, but curators of intelligent systems that can personalize, predict, and even participate in the learning process.</p>
  192. <p>This means we must ground our designs not only in pedagogy but also in an awareness of how AI mimics, augments, and sometimes redefines human learning processes. We need to ask: How does AI align with or challenge our existing design paradigms? How do we ensure ethical, inclusive, and meaningful learning in an AI-augmented environment?</p>
  193. <p>Traditionally, instructional designers have focused on designing learning experiences based on structured models such as ADDIE, Bloom’s Taxonomy, and Gagne’s Nine Events of Instruction. These frameworks offer predictability, process, and pedagogical rigor. However, the rise of AI tools now challenges IDs to think beyond templates and into dynamic, data-driven, and learner-centered ecosystems.</p>
  194. <hr class="divider clear" />
  195. <h3><strong>Evolution of Instructional Design</strong></h3>
  196. <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-63604" src="https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AI-and-the-ID-Role.png" alt="" width="604" height="296" srcset="https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AI-and-the-ID-Role.png 604w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AI-and-the-ID-Role-460x225.png 460w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AI-and-the-ID-Role-150x74.png 150w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AI-and-the-ID-Role-300x147.png 300w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AI-and-the-ID-Role-120x59.png 120w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/AI-and-the-ID-Role-310x152.png 310w" sizes="(max-width: 604px) 100vw, 604px" /></p>
  197. <hr class="divider clear" />
  198. <h3><strong>What AI has for Instructional Design?</strong></h3>
  199. <p>AI introduces:</p>
  200. <ul>
  201. <li>Automation of design and content creation (e.g., AI-generated quizzes, slide decks, voiceovers)</li>
  202. <li>Data-informed personalization based on learner behavior</li>
  203. <li>Smart analytics to measure learning outcomes and recommend improvements</li>
  204. </ul>
  205. <hr class="divider clear" />
  206. <h3><strong>Core Responsibilities: Then vs Now</strong></h3>
  207. <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-63605 alignleft" src="https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Table-1.png" alt="" width="786" height="297" srcset="https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Table-1.png 1051w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Table-1-460x174.png 460w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Table-1-1024x387.png 1024w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Table-1-150x57.png 150w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Table-1-768x290.png 768w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Table-1-300x113.png 300w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Table-1-120x45.png 120w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Table-1-310x117.png 310w" sizes="(max-width: 786px) 100vw, 786px" /></p>
  208. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  209. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  210. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  211. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  212. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  213. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  214. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  215. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  216. <hr class="divider clear" />
  217. <h3><strong>New Competencies for Instructional Designers</strong></h3>
  218. <p>To stay relevant in an AI-powered landscape, instructional designers must build new skillsets:</p>
  219. <ul>
  220. <li><strong>Prompt engineering</strong>: Crafting effective prompts for generative AI tools</li>
  221. <li><strong>AI literacy</strong>: Understanding how algorithms make decisions and what data drives them</li>
  222. <li><strong>Learning analytics</strong>: Interpreting dashboards and behavioral insights</li>
  223. <li><strong>Ethical design</strong>: Addressing bias, fairness, and data privacy in AI-enhanced learning</li>
  224. <li><strong>Human-AI collaboration</strong>: Knowing when to delegate to AI and when to intervene as a human expert</li>
  225. </ul>
  226. <hr class="divider clear" />
  227. <h3><strong>Opportunities for Redefining Value</strong></h3>
  228. <p>AI frees up instructional designers from repetitive, production-heavy tasks. This opens space for more strategic and creative contributions:</p>
  229. <ul>
  230. <li>Acting as <strong>learning architects</strong> who design whole ecosystems, not just modules</li>
  231. <li>Becoming <strong>performance consultants</strong>, aligning learning to business outcomes</li>
  232. <li>Driving <strong>inclusive design</strong> with AI tools that adapt for neurodiversity and accessibility</li>
  233. <li>Leading <strong>change management</strong> as organizations adopt AI in learning</li>
  234. </ul>
  235. <hr class="divider clear" />
  236. <h3><strong>Risks and Ethical Considerations</strong></h3>
  237. <p>As AI becomes more powerful, IDs must navigate new challenges:</p>
  238. <ul>
  239. <li><strong>Loss of human touch</strong>: Over-reliance on AI may strip away empathy and nuance from learning experiences</li>
  240. <li><strong>Bias in AI models</strong>: AI can unintentionally reinforce stereotypes or exclude minority learners</li>
  241. <li><strong>Data privacy</strong>: IDs must understand how learner data is collected, stored, and used</li>
  242. <li><strong>De-skilling</strong>: If IDs rely too heavily on automation, core instructional design expertise may erode</li>
  243. <li><strong>Data Hallucinations</strong>: AI can hallucinate and provide false information. ID research and SME expertise is required</li>
  244. </ul>
  245. <hr class="divider clear" />
  246. <h3><strong>Future Scenarios: Instructional Design in The Near Future</strong></h3>
  247. <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-63606 alignleft" src="https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Table-2.png" alt="" width="787" height="291" srcset="https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Table-2.png 1041w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Table-2-460x170.png 460w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Table-2-1024x379.png 1024w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Table-2-150x55.png 150w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Table-2-768x284.png 768w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Table-2-300x111.png 300w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Table-2-120x44.png 120w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Table-2-310x115.png 310w" sizes="(max-width: 787px) 100vw, 787px" /></p>
  248. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  249. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  250. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  251. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  252. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  253. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  254. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  255. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  256. <hr class="divider clear" />
  257. <p><strong>Contributed By:</strong> <strong>Samyukhta Puligal</strong></p>
  258. <p>The post <a href="https://purnima-valiathan.com/the-role-of-instructional-designers-in-the-age-of-ai-part-1/">The Role of Instructional Designers in the Age of AI – Part 1</a> appeared first on <a href="https://purnima-valiathan.com">ID Mentors</a>.</p>
  259. ]]></content:encoded>
  260. <wfw:commentRss>https://purnima-valiathan.com/the-role-of-instructional-designers-in-the-age-of-ai-part-1/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
  261. <slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
  262. </item>
  263. <item>
  264. <title>Top 5 Skills You Need to Become an Instructional Designer</title>
  265. <link>https://purnima-valiathan.com/top-5-skills-you-need-to-become-an-instructional-designer/</link>
  266. <comments>https://purnima-valiathan.com/top-5-skills-you-need-to-become-an-instructional-designer/#respond</comments>
  267. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Purnima Valiathan]]></dc:creator>
  268. <pubDate>Sat, 10 May 2025 04:26:23 +0000</pubDate>
  269. <category><![CDATA[High-Level Design]]></category>
  270. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://purnima-valiathan.com/?p=62931</guid>
  271.  
  272. <description><![CDATA[<p>The Instructional Designer’s Superpower? Versatility. Instructional design sits at the intersection of education, psychology, design, and technology.  Whether you’re looking &#8230;</p>
  273. <p>The post <a href="https://purnima-valiathan.com/top-5-skills-you-need-to-become-an-instructional-designer/">Top 5 Skills You Need to Become an Instructional Designer</a> appeared first on <a href="https://purnima-valiathan.com">ID Mentors</a>.</p>
  274. ]]></description>
  275. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Instructional Designer’s Superpower? Versatility.</span></p>
  276. <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Instructional design sits at the intersection of education, psychology, design, and technology. </span></p>
  277. <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Whether you’re looking to become an ID in corporate L&amp;D, higher ed, or the ed-tech space, these five skills will shape your success</span></p>
  278. <h2>1. Learning Design Thinking (Not Just Following Templates)</h2>
  279. <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Good IDs don’t just follow models—they think like designers. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">That means:</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br />
  280. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">&#8211; Analyzing the learner&#8217;s real problem</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br />
  281. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">&#8211; Designing activities that match the learning need</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br />
  282. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">&#8211; Iterating based on feedback</span></p>
  283. <h2>2. Visual and Instructional Communication</h2>
  284. <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">IDs are storytellers at heart. You need to:</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br />
  285. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">&#8211; Break down complex concepts</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br />
  286. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">&#8211; Use layout, color, icons, and animations to guide attention</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br />
  287. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">&#8211; Create slides that teach, not just present</span></p>
  288. <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Learn it hands-on in platforms like ID Mentors, where you get feedback on your design logic.</span></p>
  289. <h2>3. Tech Comfort – Especially with Authoring Tools</h2>
  290. <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Today’s IDs are expected to build:</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br />
  291. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">&#8211; Interactive eLearning (Articulate Storyline, Rise)</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br />
  292. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">&#8211; Video scripts and edits (Camtasia, Vyond)</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br />
  293. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">&#8211; PDFs, templates, quizzes, and micro-courses</span></p>
  294. <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Start with free trials or get guided practice in communities like ID Mentors.</span></p>
  295. <h2>4. Stakeholder Collaboration and Feedback Handling</h2>
  296. <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Instructional designers often work with:</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br />
  297. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">&#8211; SMEs</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br />
  298. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">&#8211; Reviewers and approvers</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br />
  299. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">&#8211; Marketing or design teams</span></p>
  300. <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">So, here are some qualities you need to succeed as an instruction designer:</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br />
  301. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">&#8211; Diplomacy</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br />
  302. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">&#8211; Clarity</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br />
  303. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">&#8211; Flexibility</span></p>
  304. <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Practice mock conversations and learn to manage expectations early.</span></p>
  305. <h2>5. A Growth Mindset and Curiosity</h2>
  306. <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">ID is an ever-evolving field. Stay curious:</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br />
  307. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">&#8211; Read books like “Design for How People Learn” by Julie Dirksen</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br />
  308. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;">&#8211; Join ID groups and communities</span></p>
  309. <h2><strong>Final Thoughts</strong></h2>
  310. <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">These five skills—design thinking, communication, tech comfort, collaboration, and curiosity—form the core toolkit of an instructional designer. You can build them step-by-step—especially with support from a strong community and mentor.</span></p>
  311. <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Explore the ID Mentors Subscription Plan. It’s built to make you job-ready, not just course-complete.</span></p>
  312. <p>The post <a href="https://purnima-valiathan.com/top-5-skills-you-need-to-become-an-instructional-designer/">Top 5 Skills You Need to Become an Instructional Designer</a> appeared first on <a href="https://purnima-valiathan.com">ID Mentors</a>.</p>
  313. ]]></content:encoded>
  314. <wfw:commentRss>https://purnima-valiathan.com/top-5-skills-you-need-to-become-an-instructional-designer/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
  315. <slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
  316. </item>
  317. <item>
  318. <title>How to Kickstart a Career in Instructional Design After Graduation</title>
  319. <link>https://purnima-valiathan.com/kickstart-career-in-instructional-design-after-graduation/</link>
  320. <comments>https://purnima-valiathan.com/kickstart-career-in-instructional-design-after-graduation/#respond</comments>
  321. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Purnima Valiathan]]></dc:creator>
  322. <pubDate>Sat, 10 May 2025 04:19:35 +0000</pubDate>
  323. <category><![CDATA[Courses]]></category>
  324. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://purnima-valiathan.com/?p=62929</guid>
  325.  
  326. <description><![CDATA[<p>So, You’ve Just Graduated… Now What? You’ve crossed the stage, diploma in hand. Maybe you majored in English, Psychology, Education, &#8230;</p>
  327. <p>The post <a href="https://purnima-valiathan.com/kickstart-career-in-instructional-design-after-graduation/">How to Kickstart a Career in Instructional Design After Graduation</a> appeared first on <a href="https://purnima-valiathan.com">ID Mentors</a>.</p>
  328. ]]></description>
  329. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>So, You’ve Just Graduated… Now What?</p>
  330. <p>You’ve crossed the stage, diploma in hand. Maybe you majored in English, Psychology, Education, or even Communication. And now, you’ve heard about this exciting, fast-growing field: Instructional Design (ID). It blends creativity, technology, and education—and better yet, it offers remote flexibility and competitive salaries.<br />
  331. But here’s the catch: instructional design isn’t usually part of a standard college curriculum.<br />
  332. So how do you break in?</p>
  333. <h2>Step 1 – Understand What Instructional Designers Actually Do</h2>
  334. <p>Before jumping in, take time to understand the job.Instructional designers aren’t just content writers. They design learning experiences.</p>
  335. <p>From corporate training modules and onboarding programs to digital simulations and academic eLearning, IDs create effective, learner-centered materials. Their work is a mix of:</p>
  336. <p>&#8211; Applying learning science and learning frameworks (cognitive load theory, Bloom’s Taxonomy, Gagné’s Events)<br />
  337. &#8211; Writing for online learning and classroom training<br />
  338. &#8211; Visualizing instructional material<br />
  339. &#8211; Understanding learning technology (eLearning tools, LMS platforms)<br />
  340. &#8211; Collaborating with subject matter experts (SMEs)</p>
  341. <h2>Step 2 – Choose a Solid Learning Path (Hint: Not All Courses Are Created Equal)</h2>
  342. <p>There are dozens of online courses that claim to teach instructional design, but many are outdated, overly theoretical, or leave you unprepared for real work.<br />
  343. Look for a program that includes:<br />
  344. &#8211; Hands-on projects (storyboards, design documents, approach notes, concept notes)<br />
  345. &#8211; Mentorship or feedback<br />
  346. &#8211; Interview and portfolio preparation<br />
  347. &#8211; Access to community or job boards<br />
  348. Highly recommended: ID Mentors by Purnima Valiathan. This program combines real-world scenarios, portfolio feedback, and continuous mentoring—a crucial difference from static online courses.</p>
  349. <h2>Step 3 – Start Building a Portfolio Early</h2>
  350. <p>Your portfolio is your golden ticket. Recruiters want to see what you can do.<br />
  351. Include:<br />
  352. &#8211; A storyboard sample<br />
  353. &#8211; A microlearning module (use tools like Articulate Rise, Storyline, or Canva)<br />
  354. &#8211; Case studies: show your problem-solving and design process<br />
  355. Even if you haven’t worked for a company, create mock projects. Redesign a corporate policy into a microlearning lesson. Convert a lecture into an interactive module.</p>
  356. <h2>Step 4 – Learn the Tools of the Trade</h2>
  357. <p>Familiarity with these tools will set you apart:</p>
  358. <p>&#8211; Articulate 360 (Storyline, Rise)<br />
  359. &#8211; Camtasia or Vyond for video-based learning<br />
  360. &#8211; Canva for visual design<br />
  361. &#8211; Google Slides / PowerPoint (storyboarding)<br />
  362. &#8211; LMS platforms like Moodle or TalentLMS</p>
  363. <h2>
  364. Step 5 – Network Like Your Career Depends On It (Because It Does)</h2>
  365. <p>Join ID communities:</p>
  366. <p>&#8211; LinkedIn groups for instructional designers<br />
  367. &#8211; Slack groups like IDLance or ID Assembly<br />
  368. &#8211; Attend webinars and free live sessions (many from ID Mentors)</p>
  369. <h2>Step 6 – Start Applying Smartly (And Realistically)</h2>
  370. <p>Don’t wait for the “perfect” job. Start with internships, freelance gigs, or contract-based roles. Look for:<br />
  371. &#8211; eLearning developers<br />
  372. &#8211; content developers<br />
  373. &#8211; instructional design freshers<br />
  374. &#8211; Learning consultants</p>
  375. <p><strong>Bonus: Learn to Receive Feedback Gracefully</strong></p>
  376. <p>Instructional design is iterative. You’ll work closely with SMEs, stakeholders, reviewers—each with their own opinion.</p>
  377. <h2>Final Thoughts</h2>
  378. <p>Breaking into instructional design after graduation might feel like you’re starting from scratch—but you’re not. You already bring communication, research, and empathy skills from your degree. Pair that with the right guidance, portfolio, and mindset—and you&#8217;re on your way to a fulfilling ID career.</p>
  379. <p>The post <a href="https://purnima-valiathan.com/kickstart-career-in-instructional-design-after-graduation/">How to Kickstart a Career in Instructional Design After Graduation</a> appeared first on <a href="https://purnima-valiathan.com">ID Mentors</a>.</p>
  380. ]]></content:encoded>
  381. <wfw:commentRss>https://purnima-valiathan.com/kickstart-career-in-instructional-design-after-graduation/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
  382. <slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
  383. </item>
  384. <item>
  385. <title>Beyond the Certificate: What Budding Instructional Designers Really Need</title>
  386. <link>https://purnima-valiathan.com/beyond-the-certificate-what-budding-instructional-designers-really-need/</link>
  387. <comments>https://purnima-valiathan.com/beyond-the-certificate-what-budding-instructional-designers-really-need/#respond</comments>
  388. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Purnima Valiathan]]></dc:creator>
  389. <pubDate>Thu, 01 May 2025 16:54:39 +0000</pubDate>
  390. <category><![CDATA[Courses]]></category>
  391. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://purnima-valiathan.com/?p=62822</guid>
  392.  
  393. <description><![CDATA[<p>The Harsh Truth No One Tells You After Your ID Course You’ve completed your Instructional Design course. Maybe even two. &#8230;</p>
  394. <p>The post <a href="https://purnima-valiathan.com/beyond-the-certificate-what-budding-instructional-designers-really-need/">Beyond the Certificate: What Budding Instructional Designers Really Need</a> appeared first on <a href="https://purnima-valiathan.com">ID Mentors</a>.</p>
  395. ]]></description>
  396. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<h2><b>The Harsh Truth No One Tells You After Your ID Course</b></h2>
  397. <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You’ve completed your Instructional Design course. Maybe even two. You’ve got the certificate. Your resume looks decent. But somehow, every job interview feels like a dead-end.</span></p>
  398. <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You’re asked:</span></p>
  399. <ul>
  400. <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Walk me through a learning solution you designed.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br />
  401. </span></li>
  402. <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">How do you handle feedback from ID reviewers and stakeholders? </span></li>
  403. <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">How do you work with a SME to make their tacit knowledge explicit?</span></li>
  404. <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">How will you avoid scope creep in a project?</span></li>
  405. <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">How do you think teaching or training is different from instructional design?</span></li>
  406. </ul>
  407. <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">That’s when it hits you: You learned </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">about</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> instructional design. But you haven’t </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">practiced</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> it in real-world scenarios.</span></p>
  408. <h3><b>Introducing the ID Mentors Subscription – For the Real Journey Ahead</b></h3>
  409. <p><b>ID Mentors by Purnima Valiathan</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> isn’t just another learning portal. It’s a continuous learning community — built for </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">doers</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">, not just learners.</span></p>
  410. <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The new </span><b>ID Mentors Subscription Plan</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> is designed to support you beyond the certificate, in three powerful ways:</span></p>
  411. <h4><b><img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/16.0.1/72x72/2705.png" alt="✅" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /> 1. Prepare for Job Interviews</b></h4>
  412. <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You’ll get:</span></p>
  413. <ul>
  414. <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Real-world scenarios to build your portfolio</span></li>
  415. <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Practice prompts and feedback on your responses</span></li>
  416. <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Confidence in handling SME objections, learning strategy questions, and assessment logic</span></li>
  417. </ul>
  418. <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This isn’t theoretical. It’s mentorship for real interview readiness.</span></p>
  419. <h4><b><img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/16.0.1/72x72/2705.png" alt="✅" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /> 2. Upskill Yourself in the Flow of Work</b></h4>
  420. <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Are you already in an ID role? Great — because this subscription becomes your backstage pass. Weekly sessions, feedback channels, and a thriving community help you stay sharp and innovate on the go.</span></p>
  421. <h4><b><img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/16.0.1/72x72/2705.png" alt="✅" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /> 3. Mentorship On-Demand</b></h4>
  422. <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You don’t need to wait for another course. When you get stuck on a module or need advice on structuring your next project — the ID Mentors community is your go-to.</span></p>
  423. <h2><b>Who This Is Perfect For</b></h2>
  424. <ul>
  425. <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/16.0.1/72x72/1f393.png" alt="🎓" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /> Newcomers looking to land their first ID role</span></li>
  426. <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/16.0.1/72x72/1f504.png" alt="🔄" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /> Career switchers unsure how to translate their skills</span></li>
  427. <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/16.0.1/72x72/1f4bc.png" alt="💼" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /> Working professionals seeking feedback on actual work</span></li>
  428. </ul>
  429. <p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/16.0.1/72x72/1f469-200d-1f3eb.png" alt="👩‍🏫" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /> Team leads trying to mentor others but feeling the gap</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br />
  430. </span></p>
  431. <h3><b>A Real Learner’s Take</b></h3>
  432. <p><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">&#8220;After finishing a 3-month ID course, I still struggled with storyboarding and understanding how to translate a learning goal into a visual format. The ID Mentors subscription helped me break this down with real projects. I finally felt like I was doing instructional design, not just reading about it.&#8221;</span></i><i><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br />
  433. </span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> — </span><b>Ananya</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">, aspiring ID from Bangalore</span></p>
  434. <h3><b>Final Thoughts</b></h3>
  435. <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Courses are great to start. But to </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">become</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> an instructional designer — confident, credible, and in-demand — you need more.</span></p>
  436. <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">That’s where the </span><b>ID Mentors Subscription Plan</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> comes in.</span></p>
  437. <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It’s not just what you learn — it’s when and how you use it.</span></p>
  438. <p>The post <a href="https://purnima-valiathan.com/beyond-the-certificate-what-budding-instructional-designers-really-need/">Beyond the Certificate: What Budding Instructional Designers Really Need</a> appeared first on <a href="https://purnima-valiathan.com">ID Mentors</a>.</p>
  439. ]]></content:encoded>
  440. <wfw:commentRss>https://purnima-valiathan.com/beyond-the-certificate-what-budding-instructional-designers-really-need/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
  441. <slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
  442. </item>
  443. <item>
  444. <title>Learning When You Need It: The Secret Weapon of Great Instructional Designers</title>
  445. <link>https://purnima-valiathan.com/secret-weapon-instructional-designers-learning-course/</link>
  446. <comments>https://purnima-valiathan.com/secret-weapon-instructional-designers-learning-course/#respond</comments>
  447. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Purnima Valiathan]]></dc:creator>
  448. <pubDate>Thu, 01 May 2025 16:29:39 +0000</pubDate>
  449. <category><![CDATA[News]]></category>
  450. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://purnima-valiathan.com/?p=62820</guid>
  451.  
  452. <description><![CDATA[<p>Real Talk: Most Instructional Designers Learn on the Job Let’s be honest. You can sit through hours of instructional design &#8230;</p>
  453. <p>The post <a href="https://purnima-valiathan.com/secret-weapon-instructional-designers-learning-course/">Learning When You Need It: The Secret Weapon of Great Instructional Designers</a> appeared first on <a href="https://purnima-valiathan.com">ID Mentors</a>.</p>
  454. ]]></description>
  455. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<h2><b>Real Talk: Most Instructional Designers Learn on the Job</b></h2>
  456. <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Let’s be honest. You can sit through hours of instructional design theory — ADDIE, Bloom’s Taxonomy, SAM — and still panic when your client says:</span></p>
  457. <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Can we make this more engaging?”</span></p>
  458. <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Or worse:</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br />
  459. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> “This training didn’t work — what’s your backup plan?”</span></p>
  460. <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">That’s because real-world instructional design doesn’t come with a perfect checklist. It’s messy. Collaborative. Fast-paced. And often… unpredictable.</span></p>
  461. <h2><b>Enter the Moment of Need</b></h2>
  462. <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You don’t need to “go back to a course” every time you hit a wall.</span></p>
  463. <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">You need help </span><b>in that moment</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p>
  464. <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">That’s exactly why </span><a href="https://purnima-valiathan.com/"><b>Purnima Valiathan’s ID Mentors Subscription Plan</b></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> exists.</span></p>
  465. <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">It’s your on-demand support system for those </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">real-time ID challenges</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p>
  466. <h3>What Makes It Different</h3>
  467. <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Unlike static courses or one-off workshops, the subscription model is designed to </span><b>adapt to your project life cycle.</b><span style="font-weight: 400;"> Here’s how:</span></p>
  468. <h4><b><img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/16.0.1/72x72/1f527.png" alt="🔧" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /> Just-in-Time Learning</b></h4>
  469. <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Working on a project? Need help with a learning objective or prototype? Get real answers from experienced mentors who’ve been there.</span></p>
  470. <h4><b><img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/16.0.1/72x72/1f9d1-200d-1f3eb.png" alt="🧑‍🏫" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /> Mentorship That Scales</b></h4>
  471. <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Whether you’re a solo ID or managing a team, use the sessions and tools to upskill continuously. Mentorship shouldn’t stop after onboarding.</span></p>
  472. <h4><b><img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/16.0.1/72x72/1f5c2.png" alt="🗂" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /> Templates, Toolkits, Feedback</b></h4>
  473. <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Access a growing library of practical resources — storyboarding formats, needs analysis templates, quiz logic checklists, and more.</span></p>
  474. <h3><b>Real Moments, Real Help &#8211; Key Ingredient of Great Instructional Design Course</b></h3>
  475. <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Imagine this:</span></p>
  476. <ul>
  477. <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">You’re building a compliance module and your stakeholder wants “gamification.” What does that even mean here?</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">
  478. <p></span></li>
  479. <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">You’ve created an assessment, but you’re unsure if it aligns with the objectives.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">
  480. <p></span></li>
  481. <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">You’re mentoring a junior ID and they’ve hit a wall with branching logic.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">
  482. <p></span></li>
  483. </ul>
  484. <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In each of these cases, the ID Mentors Subscription has you covered — with real-time answers, examples, and guidance.</span></p>
  485. <h3><b>Who Should Consider This?</b></h3>
  486. <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If you’ve ever:</span></p>
  487. <ul>
  488. <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Googled “how to storyboard an eLearning module” mid-project</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">
  489. <p></span></li>
  490. <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Spent hours reworking assessments because they “don’t work”</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">
  491. <p></span></li>
  492. </ul>
  493. <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Struggled to answer interview questions about your design decisions</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br />
  494. </span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> … then this subscription is built for you.</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br />
  495. </span></p>
  496. <h3><b>Why Wait for a Crisis?</b></h3>
  497. <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Great instructional designers don’t have all the answers — they just know where to look when they need them.</span></p>
  498. <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With </span><b>ID Mentors Subscription</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">, you don’t learn alone. You learn </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">as you work</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;">, with a mentor by your side.</span></p>
  499. <p>The post <a href="https://purnima-valiathan.com/secret-weapon-instructional-designers-learning-course/">Learning When You Need It: The Secret Weapon of Great Instructional Designers</a> appeared first on <a href="https://purnima-valiathan.com">ID Mentors</a>.</p>
  500. ]]></content:encoded>
  501. <wfw:commentRss>https://purnima-valiathan.com/secret-weapon-instructional-designers-learning-course/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
  502. <slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
  503. </item>
  504. <item>
  505. <title>Personalized Learning</title>
  506. <link>https://purnima-valiathan.com/personalized-learning/</link>
  507. <comments>https://purnima-valiathan.com/personalized-learning/#respond</comments>
  508. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Purnima Valiathan]]></dc:creator>
  509. <pubDate>Mon, 16 Oct 2023 07:14:09 +0000</pubDate>
  510. <category><![CDATA[Knowledge Sharing]]></category>
  511. <category><![CDATA[adaptive learning]]></category>
  512. <category><![CDATA[avatar]]></category>
  513. <category><![CDATA[intelligent tutoring]]></category>
  514. <category><![CDATA[learning management system]]></category>
  515. <category><![CDATA[personalization]]></category>
  516. <category><![CDATA[personalized learning]]></category>
  517. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://purnima-valiathan.com/?p=58692</guid>
  518.  
  519. <description><![CDATA[<p>What is personalized learning? Simply put, a school student taking private tuition outside of school is personalized learning. When parents &#8230;</p>
  520. <p>The post <a href="https://purnima-valiathan.com/personalized-learning/">Personalized Learning</a> appeared first on <a href="https://purnima-valiathan.com">ID Mentors</a>.</p>
  521. ]]></description>
  522. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<h4><span style="color: #003366;"><strong>What is personalized learning?</strong></span></h4>
  523. <p>Simply put, a school student taking private tuition outside of school is personalized learning. When parents sit with their children and help them learn a tough concept using a trick or tip they learnt in their childhood, such as an analogy or a mnemonic is also personalized learning. In addition, when an experienced surgeon performs a surgery and students observe how she wields a scalpel with precision, and the expertise with which she makes an incision is personalized learning too. Now to extrapolate that to the digital learning world, self-paced, responsive, and adaptive learning nuggets that address the unique needs of the target learner is also personalized learning.</p>
  524. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  525. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  526. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  527. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  528. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  529. <hr class="divider clear" />
  530. <h4></h4>
  531. <h4></h4>
  532. <h4></h4>
  533. <h4><span style="color: #003366;"><strong>What is the significance of personalized learning?</strong></span></h4>
  534. <p>While we all go through systematic and established learning curriculum in schools and colleges, many of us may think, “wish this was explained to me in a better way”, or “how does everyone understand this, and I just can’t”? However, as is with structured education, it is not always possible for teachers to cater to the specific needs of each student in the class. Now, with advancement in technology and awareness of specific learning needs, things are changing fast to provide customized learning to whoever may want it. Personalized learning has been in vogue for decades now, though it has not been discussed as much until recently.</p>
  535. <p>Benjamin Bloom’s Paper (The 2 Sigma Problem, 1984) compared lecture, lecture with feedback, and one-to-one tuition, and what he found was an 84% increase in mastery for the lecture with feedback approach and 98% increase in mastery for one-to-one tuition. From this simple yet effective data, you can understand how effective personalized learning is.</p>
  536. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  537. <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-58698" src="https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/bloom_six-sigma.png" alt="" width="487" height="340" srcset="https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/bloom_six-sigma.png 914w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/bloom_six-sigma-460x321.png 460w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/bloom_six-sigma-150x105.png 150w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/bloom_six-sigma-768x536.png 768w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/bloom_six-sigma-300x209.png 300w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/bloom_six-sigma-120x84.png 120w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/bloom_six-sigma-310x216.png 310w" sizes="(max-width: 487px) 100vw, 487px" /></p>
  538. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  539. <hr class="divider clear" />
  540. <h4><strong><span style="color: #003366;">How is personalized learning rendered?</span></strong></h4>
  541. <p>Personalized learning can take many forms such as, using examples that go well with the assigned learner group and helps them understand the content better, or using specific formats to target a specific group of learners to aid assimilation of learning, or using learning strategies or technology that resonates well with the target audience. Personalization can range from simple to complex as can be seen in the figure below.</p>
  542. <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-58699 size-full" src="https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/PL_Continuum-e1697606658404.png" alt="" width="668" height="546" /></p>
  543. <p><strong>Responsive</strong></p>
  544. <ul>
  545. <li><strong>Interface:</strong> Learners customize learning experience by choosing colors and/or avatars.</li>
  546. <li><strong>Learning Management:</strong> Learners can select a specific learning path or create curated learning experiences through software application platforms, such as learning management systems (LMS) and learning experience platforms (LXPs).</li>
  547. <li><strong>Learning Analytics: </strong>Software applications integrated with LMSs, which prompt learners to go through content based on their proficiency level in a specific subject or domain.</li>
  548. </ul>
  549. <p><strong>Adaptive</strong></p>
  550. <ul>
  551. <li><strong>Adaptive learning:</strong> Software applications that use machine learning to adapt to learner needs and competencies in a specific subject or domain.</li>
  552. <li><strong>Intelligent Tutoring Systems:</strong> Software applications that provide immediate and customized instruction or feedback to learners, usually without requiring intervention from a human teacher or facilitator.</li>
  553. </ul>
  554. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  555. <div class="notification other" style="background-color:#97d8df;border-color:#97d8df;">
  556.            <div class="notepad" style="color:#000000;border-color:{{bordercolor}};"> <strong>NOTE:</strong></p>
  557. <p>“Adaptive systems aim to functionally mirror and support the learning process, which is a flexible and changing, rather than fixed, process. Responsive systems are more limited, essentially offering an interface to predetermined content, like a hyper-linked menu or a series of digital buttons.”</p>
  558. <p><strong>SOURCE:</strong> <a href="https://datasociety.net/pubs/ecl/PersonalizedLearning_primer_2016.pdf">Personalized Learning: The Conversations We’re Not Having by Monica Bulger</a>  </div></div>
  559. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  560. <hr class="divider clear" />
  561. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  562. <h4><strong><span lang="EN-IN" style="color: #003366;">Real-world applications of personalized learning</span></strong></h4>
  563. <p><span style="color: #333399;"><strong><em>Select a tab to view the example. </em></strong></span></p>
  564. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  565. <div id="vibe-tabs-77" class="tabs tabbable  dark"><ul class="nav nav-tabs clearfix"><li><a href="#tab-566643974-621"><strong>Example 1</strong></a></li><li><a href="#tab-3404854789-621"><strong>Example 2</strong></a></li><li><a href="#tab-624139579-621"><strong>Example 3</strong></a></li><li><a href="#tab-3354363458-621"><strong>Example 4</strong></a></li><li><a href="#tab-674098556-621"><strong>Example 5</strong></a></li></ul><div class="tab-content"> <div id="tab-566643974-621" class="tab-pane"><p></p>
  566. <h5><strong>Personalization through Gamification</strong></h5>
  567. <p>Air Methods provides air transportation to move patients to and from healthcare facilities and accident scenes. Air Methods personnel provide comprehensive pre-hospital and emergency and critical care to all types of patients during aero-medical evacuation or rescue operations aboard helicopter and propeller aircraft or jet aircraft. Air Methods with Sim X, a virtual reality firm, has developed a library of advanced clinical scenarios designed on a platform where multiple players work together to treat patients in the virtual environment. Air Methods has also developed an <strong>escape room*</strong> with a mix of clinical knowledge, pop-culture, and sleuthing to create an interactive learning experience. Each step of patient care, such as accessing medications or locating lab values, requires the team to solve the previous clues. Three groups are pitted against each other each day to see who can figure out the patient’s condition and provide the most appropriate care in the shortest amount of time.</p>
  568. <p><a data-rel="tooltip" class="tip" data-placement="top" data-original-title="An escape room is an organized form of problem-based learning that uses aspects of the curriculum within the context of an engaging scenario or theme. It has a series of puzzles that a group has to solve within a limited time period. So, the learning theme over here focuses on learner interest and is socially embedded, as a group will work on it together. It uses virtual reality to help learners learn the content better. The strategy also ensures learners have fun while learning, as gamification has been applied in the form of escape rooms. "> *<strong>Escape Room</strong> </a></p>
  569. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  570. <p><strong>SOURCE</strong>: <strong><a href="https://www.seriousgamemarket.com/2021/05/how-serious-games-are-changing-air.html">How Serious Games Are Changing Air Medical Education by Eliane Alhadeff</a></strong></p>
  571. <p></p></div> <div id="tab-3404854789-621" class="tab-pane"><p></p>
  572. <h5><strong>Personalization through Mentoring</strong></h5>
  573. <p>LaSalle Network is a national staffing, recruiting and culture firm with business units that specialize in accounting and finance, administrative, call center, healthcare revenue cycle, human resources, management resources, marketing, sales, supply chain, technology and executive search. Employees at this company participate in what is known as “grandfathering”. In this activity, managers mentor workers under their direct reports. They reinforce lessons by getting these employees to watch 3–4-minute videos at least 5 times, and by addressing their doubts and queries. Also, LaSalle’s 150 employees are regularly asked what weak spots they want to strengthen and what skills they want to acquire. These questions are not only asked by HR—everyone from managers and mentors to the training team and even the CEO pose the questions to employees at every level of the company. In one instance, when an employee mentioned to the company CEO that he wanted to eventually work in operations, the CEO coordinated with HR and made sure the employee works under the COO for a few weeks. This kind of mentoring, or grandfathering, is a commitment at the organization level. The learning themes that we can see in this case are learner needs, learner interests, learner ownership, and it is socially embedded. In this example, mentoring is used as a strategy to personalize learning.</p>
  574. <p><strong>SOURCE: <a href="https://www.shrm.org/hr-today/news/hr-magazine/0517/pages/a-personalized-approach-to-corporate-learning.aspx">A </a><a href="https://www.shrm.org/hr-today/news/hr-magazine/0517/pages/a-personalized-approach-to-corporate-learning.aspx">Personalized </a><a href="https://www.shrm.org/hr-today/news/hr-magazine/0517/pages/a-personalized-approach-to-corporate-learning.aspx">Approach to Corporate Learning by Kate Rockwood</a></strong></p>
  575. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  576. <p></p></div> <div id="tab-624139579-621" class="tab-pane"><p></p>
  577. <h5><strong>Personalization through Feedback</strong></h5>
  578. <p>Next College Student Athlete is a Chicago-based company that helps high schoolers win collegiate athletic scholarships. The Training team at this company uses a unique strategy for training – put the employee in the spotlight. The employees are video-recorded when they make a sales pitch. The videos are then analyzed to give specific feedback to the employees, and they are helped to identify areas that need refinement. The company has found this training technique rather effective. As the Head of HR says – “the employees tend to be fully engaged because they’re the stars of the sessions.” The learning theme out here is focusing on learner needs, learner ownership, and is socially embedded. This is an example of personalized learning where learners are not consumers but producers of content. This strategy also showcases mentoring at a different level. As you can see through this example, personalized learning is an ongoing process. It is NOT a one-time solution/intervention. Creating a plan, and working as per the plan is important.</p>
  579. <p><strong>SOURCE: <a href="https://www.shrm.org/hr-today/news/hr-magazine/0517/pages/a-personalized-approach-to-corporate-learning.aspx">A </a><a href="https://www.shrm.org/hr-today/news/hr-magazine/0517/pages/a-personalized-approach-to-corporate-learning.aspx">Personalized </a><a href="https://www.shrm.org/hr-today/news/hr-magazine/0517/pages/a-personalized-approach-to-corporate-learning.aspx">Approach to Corporate Learning by Kate Rockwood</a></strong></p>
  580. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  581. <p></p></div> <div id="tab-3354363458-621" class="tab-pane"><p></p>
  582. <h5><strong>Personalization through adaptive learning</strong></h5>
  583. <p>Duolingo, the language learning app, applies the concept of spaced repetition for language learning. The app adapts to each learner’s level of language proficiency by presenting content in different interactive ways. Learners get automated real-time feedback on these interactive speech and grammar exercises. The app users collectively complete millions of exercises on the platform every day and it tracks every word that the learner sees, uses and practices in varied contexts. This data is captured and analyzed using machine learning (ML) algorithms.</p>
  584. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  585. <p></p></div> <div id="tab-674098556-621" class="tab-pane"><p></p>
  586. <h5><strong>Personalization through Intelligent Tutoring</strong></h5>
  587. <p>Soar Training Expert for Virtual Environments or STEVE is an intelligent tutoring system developed by the University of South California (USC). It was originally applied to equipment operation and maintenance training on board a virtual ship. This system is designed to train and mentor learners to operate complicated machinery. Through virtual reality a three-dimensional, simulated mock-up of a work environment is created, where STEVE, the virtual facilitator guides learners to complete tasks by demonstrating procedures, responding to learner queries and monitoring learner performance. This solution is an integration of intelligent tutoring systems, computer graphics and agent architectures. This system can also train learners on completing team tasks, because the system is built to support multiple STEVE agents and multiple students.</p>
  588. <p><strong>SOURCE: <a href="https://www.isi.edu/isd/VET/vet.html">STEVE</a><a href="https://www.isi.edu/isd/VET/vet.html">&#8211; A Pedagogical Agent for Virtual Reality</a></strong></p>
  589. <p></p></div> </div></div>
  590. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  591. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  592. <p>The post <a href="https://purnima-valiathan.com/personalized-learning/">Personalized Learning</a> appeared first on <a href="https://purnima-valiathan.com">ID Mentors</a>.</p>
  593. ]]></content:encoded>
  594. <wfw:commentRss>https://purnima-valiathan.com/personalized-learning/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
  595. <slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
  596. </item>
  597. <item>
  598. <title>An Instructional Design Checklist! Yes. Another One!</title>
  599. <link>https://purnima-valiathan.com/an-instructional-design-checklist-yes-another-one/</link>
  600. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Purnima Valiathan]]></dc:creator>
  601. <pubDate>Thu, 05 May 2022 03:36:00 +0000</pubDate>
  602. <category><![CDATA[Content Development Process]]></category>
  603. <category><![CDATA[Knowledge Sharing]]></category>
  604. <category><![CDATA[instructional design checklist]]></category>
  605. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://purnima-valiathan.com/?p=56850</guid>
  606.  
  607. <description><![CDATA[<p>&#160; Is your ID training addressing these Do’s and Don’ts? If yes, then how? Do you address it as an &#8230;</p>
  608. <p>The post <a href="https://purnima-valiathan.com/an-instructional-design-checklist-yes-another-one/">An Instructional Design Checklist! Yes. Another One!</a> appeared first on <a href="https://purnima-valiathan.com">ID Mentors</a>.</p>
  609. ]]></description>
  610. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>&nbsp;</p>
  611. <blockquote>
  612. <p style="text-align: left;">Is your ID training addressing these Do’s and Don’ts? If yes, then how? Do you address it as an Instructional Design checklist (as attached below), or through practice and feedback? A checklist is the lowest form of a job-aid meant for tasks that are mostly mechanical &amp; physical. Designing instruction is a cognitive task that requires higher-order thinking skills. The training for this must be designed to help you develop several skills and competencies, which is best addressed through a blend of self-paced online courses, facilitated sessions, and assignments that are reviewed by ID experts. However, even this is just a dip into shallow waters – to excel at instructional design you need to work on varied projects with unique demands for at least A YEAR UNDER A GOOD MENTOR.</p>
  613. </blockquote>
  614. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  615. <p>Download the checklist here; but also find a mentor:</p>
  616. <p><a href="https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/ID_Dos_Donts.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dos and Don&#8217;ts for instructional designers</a></p>
  617. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  618. <p>The post <a href="https://purnima-valiathan.com/an-instructional-design-checklist-yes-another-one/">An Instructional Design Checklist! Yes. Another One!</a> appeared first on <a href="https://purnima-valiathan.com">ID Mentors</a>.</p>
  619. ]]></content:encoded>
  620. </item>
  621. <item>
  622. <title>Needs Assessment &#8211; Part 3</title>
  623. <link>https://purnima-valiathan.com/needs-assessment-part-3/</link>
  624. <comments>https://purnima-valiathan.com/needs-assessment-part-3/#respond</comments>
  625. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Purnima Valiathan]]></dc:creator>
  626. <pubDate>Fri, 06 Aug 2021 06:10:33 +0000</pubDate>
  627. <category><![CDATA[Content Development Process]]></category>
  628. <category><![CDATA[Knowledge Sharing]]></category>
  629. <category><![CDATA[learning needs analysis]]></category>
  630. <category><![CDATA[needs assessment]]></category>
  631. <category><![CDATA[training needs analysis]]></category>
  632. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://purnima-valiathan.com/?p=52229</guid>
  633.  
  634. <description><![CDATA[<p>Needs assessment is role-wise assessment of skill gaps between the current state and the desired state, and identifying the learning &#8230;</p>
  635. <p>The post <a href="https://purnima-valiathan.com/needs-assessment-part-3/">Needs Assessment &#8211; Part 3</a> appeared first on <a href="https://purnima-valiathan.com">ID Mentors</a>.</p>
  636. ]]></description>
  637. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p style="text-align: justify;"><h3 class="heading " ><span> OVERVIEW </span></h3></p>
  638. <p style="text-align: justify;">Needs assessment is role-wise assessment of skill gaps between the current state and the desired state, and identifying the learning needs to close the gaps and ensure effective workplace performance. The outcome of needs assessment results in effective training solutions that impact the business growth of the customer in a positive way. While needs assessment is a highly iterative process, and you can never have enough of discussions to be sure that you and your stakeholder are on the same page with regard to the roles or tasks or responsibilities or competencies, and there can be many sub-processes that you may have to improvise, abroad level needs assessment process sequence can be charted out.</p>
  639. <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-52270" src="https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Needs_Assessment_Process-123.jpg" alt="" width="1104" height="736" srcset="https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Needs_Assessment_Process-123.jpg 1104w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Needs_Assessment_Process-123-460x307.jpg 460w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Needs_Assessment_Process-123-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Needs_Assessment_Process-123-150x100.jpg 150w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Needs_Assessment_Process-123-768x512.jpg 768w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Needs_Assessment_Process-123-300x200.jpg 300w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Needs_Assessment_Process-123-120x80.jpg 120w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Needs_Assessment_Process-123-310x207.jpg 310w" sizes="(max-width: 1104px) 100vw, 1104px" /></p>
  640. <p style="text-align: justify;"><h3 class="heading " ><span> STEP 1 – IDENTIFYING CHALLENGES </span></h3></p>
  641. <p style="text-align: justify;">Needs Assessment is a process by which we figure out the training needs of a group or groups, of a few roles in an organization, or all roles of an organization. The organization can be small, medium, or large. Therefore, the needs assessment process, though similar in all cases, have to be customized depending on the requirements of the customer – where the requirements can be explicit, implicit, or evolutionary in nature.</p>
  642. <p style="text-align: justify;">The initial questions or the “Day 1-2” questions that the needs assessor should ask is: <em>What is your organization trying to accomplish? What are the business goals that your organization is trying to achieve?</em></p>
  643. <p style="text-align: justify;">The responses from stakeholders may be noticeably clear or partly clear and/or partly fuzzy. That’s absolutely fine. That is the nature of the assignment. The assessor needs to start a conversation with the customer stakeholders at this point. Many important points come out during a random conversation and assessors have to be very attentive. To make things easier, assessors can prepare a detailed questionnaire before traveling to the customer site.</p>
  644. <p style="text-align: justify;">The questionnaire can have generic questions, which can be customized after the initial introductory rounds and then distributed to the stakeholders to get their response or thoughts. Questions initially can be asked in any order. You can even, <em>not</em> ask any questions. Just listen to the leaders talking and make a mental note of their requirements, their pain points, or their business goals. At this stage you may not understand much of it. You will slowly – do not get thrown off your chosen track. You are there to stay for a while. Things will open up sooner or later. Don’t rush. There is no strict timeline to complete a “talk”. Never.</p>
  645. <p style="text-align: justify;">Here are some some sample questions to ask on the first meet with the customer:</p>
  646. <p style="text-align: justify;"><div class="notification " style="background-color:#97d8df;border-color:;">
  647.            <div class="notepad" style="color:#333;border-color:{{bordercolor}};"></p>
  648. <ol style="text-align: justify;">
  649. <li>What is the need at this point for a training needs assessment? Is there a strong business compulsion?</li>
  650. <li>Who are the stakeholders in this endeavour?</li>
  651. <li>Can a meeting be organized with each of these stakeholders, as they lead different departments? If yes, by when?</li>
  652. <li>Can a meeting be organized with a few key members of each department? If yes, by when?</li>
  653. <li>What are the business goals of each of these departments? How do they map to the organizational goal?</li>
  654. <li>What are the primary roles in each of the department? What are the responsibilities of each role?</li>
  655. <li>In a particular role, what are the employees’ current level of proficiency and what is the desired level of proficiency?</li>
  656. <li>What are their educational qualifications? Are they motivated to achieve the business goals? Will it clash in anyway with their growth aspirations? (Subjective questions are important as they give us a definite direction on the organizational goal)</li>
  657. <li>What are the pain points of the organization, and of the employee group?</li>
  658. <li>Dothe pain points map to a training need(s) or the pain points require a totally different kind of solution, besides training?</li>
  659. <li>Is workplace performance at the current level of proficiency also a problem?</li>
  660. </ol>
  661. <p style="text-align: justify;"></div></div>
  662. <p style="text-align: justify;">These and similar questions can be the base initial discussion that the assessor should have with the customer side stakeholders. The way analysis is done in a simple eLearning project, similarly these question-answer sessions help the assessor understand the business goals and analyse the <em>employee performance problems</em>. However, these discussions are not cast in stone. Bigger the organization, larger the requirement, and more the number of interactive and iterative sessions.</p>
  663. <p style="text-align: justify;">The assessor also needs to talk to the next level of leaders, who are on the floor, to get their point of view regarding the pain points, their proficiency level, and their aspirations. Understanding employee aspirations is also an important step towards ensuring that the right kind of needs are found and addressed. This happens with the knowledge of the supervisors and there is no organization-employee conflict out there.</p>
  664. <p style="text-align: justify;">Next, the questionnaire evaluation report is presented to the customer and the actual business challenges are documented by mutual agreement.</p>
  665. <p style="text-align: justify;">Some examples of business challenges can be:</p>
  666. <p style="text-align: justify;"><div class="notification " style="background-color:#97d8df;border-color:;">
  667.            <div class="notepad" style="color:#333;border-color:{{bordercolor}};"></p>
  668. <ol style="text-align: justify;">
  669. <li>Ineffective implementation of safety and compliance procedures resulting in near-miss accidents or injury</li>
  670. <li>Managing a huge customer project</li>
  671. <li>Training new hires globally with language, culture, and other demographic barriers</li>
  672. <li>Aging workforce, ready to retire, and adequate transfer of knowledge</li>
  673. <li>Current level of competencies has gaps; performance is an issue</li>
  674. <li>Key responsibility areas are not well defined, overlapping responsibilities</li>
  675. </ol>
  676. <p style="text-align: justify;"></div></div>
  677. <p style="text-align: justify;"><h3 class="heading " ><span> STEP 2, 3 and 4 – ANALYSIS OF CURRENT AND FUTURE NEEDS; AN ITERATIVE PROCESS </span></h3></p>
  678. <p style="text-align: justify;">After the assessor understands the business performance goal and pain points, the assessor needs to understand the roles that will have to be considered <em>on priority</em> to meet the challenge through appropriate training intervention. In this step, the assessor also needs to understand the current jobs/tasks of the role or roles, the future roles and responsibilities, and the competency gap that has to be closed for them to perform at the desired level. There are a number of tools that the assessor can use to understand the current situation and how far the employees are from the desired situation.</p>
  679. <p style="text-align: justify;">Some of the tools are:</p>
  680. <ol style="text-align: justify;">
  681. <li>Individual interviews</li>
  682. <li>Focus groups</li>
  683. <li>Observations</li>
  684. <li>Reports</li>
  685. <li>Surveys</li>
  686. </ol>
  687. <p style="text-align: justify;">Based on the findings, the assessor will arrive at the actual desired situation. The gap between the actual and desired will provide the learning requirement.</p>
  688. <p style="text-align: justify;">Here is an example:</p>
  689. <p style="text-align: justify;"><div class="notification " style="background-color:#97d8df;border-color:;">
  690.            <div class="notepad" style="color:#333;border-color:{{bordercolor}};"></p>
  691. <p style="text-align: justify;">A leading oil and gas organization was unable to improve the performance effectiveness of its refinery operators despite conducting <em>intensive</em> training. They also did not have any methodology to capture the knowledge of it aging workforce who were due for retirement. The assessor assessed the current situation and discovered that training was mostly conducted in classroom using presentations and very text intensive training tools. Learning was mostly on-the-job with a mentor shadowing a few hundred employees. Training was therefore not consistent, and rarely measured. The material was outdated, and new hires were dependent on-the-job mentoring by experienced workforce for upgrading their skills. The desired situation was to have a formal training in place that will be able to measure employee performance.</p>
  692. <p style="text-align: justify;"></div></div>
  693. <p style="text-align: justify;"><h3 class="heading " ><span> STEP 5 – CREATE COMPETENCY MAP ROLE-WISE, AND NEW ROLE-WISE TRAINING REQUIREMENTS </span></h3></p>
  694. <p style="text-align: justify;">To carry forward the case of the oil and gas organization, let’s look at an example to understand more about competencies.</p>
  695. <p style="text-align: justify;">For example, equipment knowledge could be a skill. In some customer engagements that the organization may have, this knowledge could be a challenge as the skill is usually not documented. The assessor in such a situation will need to discuss with all relevant roles and understand the competency level that they currently have, and the new level of competency they desire to have. Based on this information, the assessor will be able to create a new competency map role-wise and detail out the new role-wise training requirements so far as equipment knowledge is concerned.</p>
  696. <p style="text-align: justify;">The purpose of identifying competencies is to have a clear criterion to measure the skill and performance effectiveness of the target audience. Competency map is the formal documentation of skills and knowledge required for a particular role.</p>
  697. <p style="text-align: justify;">Each competency can have different levels of proficiency depending on the skill level required for a role who is assigned a particular job. For example, a junior instructional designer needs to have only storyboarding capabilities after understanding the design document, but a senior designer will need to be able to create the design document. However, both the instructional designer role will require common competencies of writing and comprehension. Pretty colourful, isn’t it?<img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/16.0.1/72x72/1f60a.png" alt="😊" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /><em>Well yes, when you map the different roles to different tasks to different competencies and different training requirements, it is best to colour code the excel worksheet. Makes it easier for the assessor and the approver.</em></p>
  698. <p style="text-align: justify;"><h3 class="heading " ><span> STEP 6 &#8211; CURRICULUM DESIGN, TRAINING STRATEGY ROLE-WISE OR A CUSTOMIZED LEARNING PATH </span></h3></p>
  699. <p style="text-align: justify;">Now that the assessor is aware of the target audience, the competencies and the learning methodology needed to achieve the learning objective, the assessor needs to identify training topics and create a curriculum design. This might require consultation with a subject matter expert if it is a technical content. An essential aspect of needs assessment is identifying the appropriate learning methodology to train the target audience. Somewhere in steps 1 through 4, the assessor also needs to understand the demographic, education, working and social background of the target audience. That will help the assessor create a curriculum design or a customized learning path using appropriate learning strategies to get effective training outcome.</p>
  700. <p style="text-align: justify;">As instructional designers turned assessors, you need to be aware of the different learning methodologies that can be adopted and map them to the requirements. Some common learning methodologies include:</p>
  701. <ul style="text-align: justify;">
  702. <li>Coaching and mentoring</li>
  703. <li>Curated content</li>
  704. <li>Blended learning</li>
  705. <li>Web- based learning</li>
  706. <li>Classroom-based learning</li>
  707. <li>Mobile or micro learning</li>
  708. <li>Collaborative platform</li>
  709. <li>Game-based learning</li>
  710. </ul>
  711. <p style="text-align: justify;">Curriculum design provides clarity on the course names, course objectives, topics covered, duration, and the mode of delivery. Needs assessment is considered complete when the assessor prepares the training strategy for the entire requirement. In this document, the training goal, and the training process with the details of curriculum is documented. This document also guides the customers on how they should conduct the training as it includes the schedule of courses. It provides clarity on the training approach and broad level instructional strategies that can be used for developing the curriculum.</p>
  712. <p style="text-align: justify;">Once this is approved, the assessor, who is bored with Earl Greys and subways, can start dreaming of Lipton Darjeeling and a sumptuous meal back home. However, the work has just begun. Now the vendor organization needs to ramp up for creating the huge training content.</p>
  713. <p style="text-align: justify;"><h3 class="heading " ><span> CONCLUSION </span></h3></p>
  714. <p style="text-align: justify;">Needs assessment is a scientific and organized approach to analysing customer requirements from a competency-based learning perspective. Creating a competency map that elaborates on roles, responsibilities, tasks, and the skills required to complete those tasks, is the ultimate step to achieving training excellence for the customer organization. It is an ideal way of providing thought leadership to the customer. A successful needs assessment phase is not limited to just the deliverables from that phase. It creates a lasting impression in the mind of the customer that they have invested in the right place. Finally, as a learning consultant, assessors should be able to provide a real-time, implementable, and useful training solution that provides a win-win situation for both the vendor and the customer.</p>
  715. <p style="text-align: justify;">
  716. <p>The post <a href="https://purnima-valiathan.com/needs-assessment-part-3/">Needs Assessment &#8211; Part 3</a> appeared first on <a href="https://purnima-valiathan.com">ID Mentors</a>.</p>
  717. ]]></content:encoded>
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  719. <slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
  720. </item>
  721. <item>
  722. <title>Needs Assessment &#8211; Part 2</title>
  723. <link>https://purnima-valiathan.com/needs-assessment-part-2/</link>
  724. <comments>https://purnima-valiathan.com/needs-assessment-part-2/#respond</comments>
  725. <dc:creator><![CDATA[Purnima Valiathan]]></dc:creator>
  726. <pubDate>Thu, 15 Jul 2021 08:16:18 +0000</pubDate>
  727. <category><![CDATA[Content Development Process]]></category>
  728. <category><![CDATA[learning needs analysis]]></category>
  729. <category><![CDATA[needs assessment]]></category>
  730. <guid isPermaLink="false">https://purnima-valiathan.com/?p=44702</guid>
  731.  
  732. <description><![CDATA[<p>&#160; An organization wanted to train its entire sales team (junior, mid-level- and senior roles) on a new range of &#8230;</p>
  733. <p>The post <a href="https://purnima-valiathan.com/needs-assessment-part-2/">Needs Assessment &#8211; Part 2</a> appeared first on <a href="https://purnima-valiathan.com">ID Mentors</a>.</p>
  734. ]]></description>
  735. <content:encoded><![CDATA[<blockquote><p>&nbsp;</p></blockquote>
  736. <p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-46183" src="https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Needs-Analysis_Levels.jpg" alt="" width="377" height="312" srcset="https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Needs-Analysis_Levels.jpg 600w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Needs-Analysis_Levels-460x381.jpg 460w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Needs-Analysis_Levels-150x124.jpg 150w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Needs-Analysis_Levels-300x249.jpg 300w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Needs-Analysis_Levels-120x99.jpg 120w, https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Needs-Analysis_Levels-310x257.jpg 310w" sizes="(max-width: 377px) 100vw, 377px" /></p>
  737. <blockquote><p>An organization wanted to train its entire sales team (junior, mid-level- and senior roles) on a new range of engineering products. The company approached the in-house training manager and provided basic details about the products. The training manager created handouts, ready reference material, and presentations, and delivered the training on schedule. The sales team got the basic knowledge. However, post training, it was observed that the sales team was not able to meet the expected target.</p></blockquote>
  738. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  739. <h3 class="heading " ><span> What went wrong? </span></h3>
  740. <p>What went wrong? <strong>Process lapses!</strong> But that isn’t typically due to lack of knowledge. Training managers are given very short time to come up with a training program. Nor is the training manager fully equipped to create content the way instructional designers are trained to do. Hence, there can be lapses both in the process, as well as the end result.</p>
  741. <p>In this example, first, the trainer should have analysed the business challenges that the company could have faced if the sales team was not adequately trained on the new products. Then, the trainer should have had meetings with the sales team to understand their current roles and responsibilities, the trainings they have already attended, their selling methodology, their prior work experience, their qualification, and what sort of content engages them. Based on this information, the trainer should have arrived at the role-wise core skills/competency that the sales team had, the skills/competency they needed to acquire, recognized the gaps, and then worked on closing the gaps.</p>
  742. <p>Post gap analysis and based on the desired level of competency that the employees had to achieve as mandated by business needs, the trainer should have designed the role-wise curriculum for training. So senior sales managers should have been trained on how to focus on the saleability of the product and the sales strategies, and the juniors should have learnt the product features and functions to the last level of detail. Based on the proposed and approved curriculum, learning objectives should have been designed. Based on learners’ learning preferences, relevant training methodology and strategies should have been used so that the learning outcome was effective. The training should have been followed up with an appropriate post assessment and on-the-job shadowing by an expert.</p>
  743. <p>Seems black and white now, however, at real-time things can get blurred. And that is the essence of true needs assessment assignment. It gives the assessor the challenge to be focused, to be empathetic, and to use all skills she has gathered over the years to do a great job.</p>
  744. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  745. <style> #button7733{} #button7733:hover{}#button7733:hover{}</style><a target="_blank" id="button7733" class="button " href="https://purnima-valiathan.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Needs-Analysis_Example.xlsx"> Needs Assessment_Example </a>
  746. <blockquote><p>&nbsp;</p>
  747. <p><strong>Hope that this example helped you gain a macro view of the needs assessment process. In Part 3 of this series, I will address the process in detail.</strong></p></blockquote>
  748. <p>&nbsp;</p>
  749. <p><strong>AUTHOR:</strong></p>
  750. <p><strong>Sarbani Bose &#8211; Consultant, Instructional Design</strong></p>
  751. <p>The post <a href="https://purnima-valiathan.com/needs-assessment-part-2/">Needs Assessment &#8211; Part 2</a> appeared first on <a href="https://purnima-valiathan.com">ID Mentors</a>.</p>
  752. ]]></content:encoded>
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